Chapter 8: Search Party, Memories and Attacked
Word had reached quickly of the "undinotopian" rumble that had occurred between the three brothers. This shocked most of the citizens of Waterfall City as they had all graduated and had become citizens of Dinotopia, and had already broken one of their codes against violence.
Mayor Waldo was disappointed in the boys, as they had already proven that they were not ready to be citizens, and now they were missing. Marion on the other hand, felt responsible for the whatever fate had befallen the, boys. Determined to find them, she shared her thought with her father who unfortunately thought differently.
"My dear, those three were just never suitable for a Dinotopian education," Waldo said, as he wanted to drop the matter quickly. He in particularly, was aggravated that the boys had made a mess in the trial room by breaking those valuable statues.
"But, father, I really feel it is my duty to go look for them" Marion said with a pleading tone in her voice.
Waldo sighed as he gazed upon her sympathetically. "Marion there gone, we've searched but nobodies found any sign of them" he said sounding abit sorry.
This was only brief as his face brightened when he said "Now don't forget, tomorrow you travel to Vidaba, your due too start your habitat training".
Viadaba earth farm was the largest working community on Dinotopia. Most of their food was provided by it.
Not ready too give up, Marion said, "Father, I really feel I should" she started.
Waldo raised a hand calmly signaling Marion that their discussion was over.
Upset that her father would not approve of searching for the boys, Marion swiftly turned and leaved.
"Marion" Waldo asked worried. He got no response as Marion walked out the door.
Sighing too himself, Waldo gazed out at the city, silently praying that Marion would not go and do something irrational.
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Meeting Zippeau on her way out of the palace, Marion told Zippeau of her plans.
"I feel like I have failed them," Marion said sadly. "I should never have left them" she sighed.
Zippeau interrupted saying, "No, no, no, no they were in my charge Marion, it is I who have failed them.
Life returning to her eyes, Mario gave Zippeau a determined eye as she said, "I must go and find them".
Zippeau stared at Marion in shock. "What, Out there?" Zippeau asked worried.
"I have no choice," Marion said bluntly.
Rolling her eyes, Marion moaned "My fathers going to be furious".
Zippeau laughed lightly as he said, "That could be grossly understating his reaction".
Sighing to himself, Zippeau then said "Well I suppose I should go home and get my bag".
Why would he need his bag? Marion turned back too Zippeau, a confused expression on her face. "Why" she asked.
Zippeau then gave her a warm smile as he chortled, "You don't think that I'm letting you go alone do you?"
Shocked that he would be willing to put himself in front of the unknown dangers outside of Waterfall city, Marion realized that Zippeau was a true friend.
Giving him a returning smile, Marion nodded as she went off too get something she would need for the trip while Zippeau returned home.
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The rapids of the waterfall had taken the boys far, far away from waterfall city. Perhaps a few miles away.
Emerging from the water, Karl breathed heavily as he looked around furiously and noticed David floating face down.
Quickly swimming over too his half brother, Karl grabbed him as he swam towards shore.
Unknown to him, a monstrous creature was watching the boys, and it was hungry…
As Karl swam he looked around and realized that someone was missing! Where was Jake???
"JAKE" Karl shouted in concern.
No response.
Karl tried again. "JAKE" he shouted louder this time. Still no response.
"Maybe he's hiding from me for what I did" Karl thought.
It was at this very moment that Karl realized what he had done too his younger half brother, he had punched him, hard as his knuckles were still ringing.
Ever since he was a boy, Karl had sworn that he would never lay a hand on Jake like that, and he had broken his promise.
"He probably hates me for life" Karl thought bitterly.
Coming too shore, Karl said faintly too David "Stay with me, were almost their".
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Meanwhile, not too far from the boys, coming through the swamps were Zippeau and Marion.
"David" Marion called.
"Karl, Jake, it's Zippeau and Marion" Zippeau called.
"Keep up Zippeau" Marion warned as it was easy too get lost in this swamp.
"Oh where could they be?" Zippeau asked worried for the boy's safety.
Not receiving any answer, Zippeau added "You know, I've never been so far from Waterfall City in my life".
Marion wasn't listening as she stopped at a large rock and placed down a basket.
Something was moving around inside the basket, squawking and moving like a trapped animal.
Zippeau eyed it curiously and laughed as he realized what it was.
"Bravo Marion, you brought a postal bird," he said.
Opening the top of the basket, out came a blue bird, with small beady eyes, a pilot's helmet on its head and a white underbelly.
The postal birds were basically the means of delivering messages around Dinotopia since they haven't ever heard of cell phones before.
"What on earth, I-I must remind you there is a surcharge for delivery of messages outside waterfall city," squawked the bird.
Staring at the bird showing that she had no time too fool around, the bird then asked, "How can I help"?
"Messages read, are you Karl, David or Jake" Marion said.
"Destination of Message" the bird asked.
"Follow the river as far as you can until sunset" Marion commanded.
"Follow the river," repeated the confused bird.
Marion nodded as the bird huffed in annoyance.
"No responsibility can be taken for delivery of messages without precise destination" the bird informed Marion.
Marion nodded "I understand, I want you too fly as fast as you can and ask anyone you meet go" Marion said.
With a final huff, the bird took off into the sky muttering "Proper message with a proper destination isn't that hard too ask".
"So what do we do now?" Zippeau asked.
"Wait" Marion said calmly.
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Traveling through the swamp on a path he had found, Karl trudged weakly as he supported David while walking.
"Where are we" David asked weakly.
Karl gave no answer as he was focused on finding Jake. Finding a small bridge that connected too what appeared to be an ancient temple, Karl seted David down against some trees.
"I'm gonna check it out okay" Karl asked.
David nodded weakly as he shutted his eyes too sleep, as he was exhausted from the rapids.
Karl eyed the water surrounding the bridge worried, what if something was in their, waiting for him too pop out.
Karl shook off his fear as he slowly walked across the weak bridge. "Hello" he called, hoping someone was here.
No answer.
Crossing the bridge, Karl gazed up in awe at the ancient temple. The architecture was unlike anything he had ever seen before.
Glancing too his right Karl was shocked at the sight. Trudging through the water with one arm was Jake.
"JAKE" Karl shouted as he dashed towards his brother. Jake gave Karl a weak smile as Karl lifted him out of the water.
"Are you okay?" Karl asked, already knowing the answer.
Jake gave him a mock glare as he said "I just fell off a balcony into a waterfall and then got shoved around by the rapids of that waterfall, do I look okay" Jake asked.
"Well at least you still have your sarcasm" Karl laughed as he and Jake walked back over towards David.
"I got it from you" Jake joked.
Jake walked over too David and gave him a light shove.
"What about him, is he alright" Jake asked concerned.
"I don't think so, he passed out a few minutes ago so I don't know when he'll wake up" Karl said.
"Well we oughta gather some firewood since were not going anywhere for awhile" Jake said as he took out his sword and started chopping his trees.
Karl looked down guilty as he remembered what happened.
"Jake, I'm sorry" Karl apologized.
"Huh, what are you taking about" Jake asked confused.
"I promised I would never lay a hand on you, and I went and punched you just like that" Karl said miserably.
"Karl, I'm fine its no big deal" Jake said casually as he continued chopping some tree limbs.
"It is to me, I made a promise and I broke it" Karl insisted.
"You lost your temper Karl, we all do sometimes" Jake said.
"I didn't hurt you too bad, did I" Karl asked nervously.
"Not too bad, but damn, you have one heck of a right hook" Jake laughed.
Karl laughed too as both brothers laughed, lightening the mood.
"Besides, I should also apologize Karl" Jake said abruptly.
"For what" Karl asked.
"For losing my temper and tackling you and David like that" Jake said softly.
"Like you said, its no big deal, we all lose are tempers at times" Karl said.
"Already forgotten" Jake smiled as he gave Karl a thumbs up.
Glancing over at David, Jake then said "It'll be dark soon, we should get some food from those trees and wake David" Jake said as he pointed at some trees ahead of them.
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Now night time, David had come around and was overjoyed too Jake with him. He had apologized to Karl for picking a fight with him and Karl apologized for cheating.
Now finished with dinner the boys were remising on happy memories they had all had together.
"Remember when we drank dads 1918 port" Karl said.
"Yeah, that was dad's last bottle too" Jake added.
David sat there listening quietly.
"$1,300 worth of port in one afternoon" Karl laughed.
"Yeah dad was pissed off too, he almost blew a fuse in front of all the other guest" Jake laughed too.
"We didn't like the taste so we mixed it with coke" Karl smirked.
"Well that part was my idea" Jake added again.
"You were only fourteen at the time Jake" Karl smiled.
"Yeah, and you and David were both seventeen at the time" Jake smiled back.
"Adding coke actually made it good even though we were underage" Karl laughed again.
Sighing, Karl said "That was a great Christmas".
"Santa didn't come that year" David muttered.
"What was that, say it again" Karl said.
David opened his eyes as he grinned and said "Santa didn't come that year".
Karl grinned back as he said "Oh he did, it's just that he was awful pissed".
"Yeah when uncle Robert had too put on that Santa suit, I though I was gonna pass out from laughter" Jake laughed.
"He did look funny in that suit, and with his small eyebrows, and narrow eyes and straight nose and scowl, he resembled Santa clause from hell" Karl joined in.
"It didn't help either that he splashed some beer all over it, and in front of the people mom invited over" Jake laughed harder.
Still chuckling, Jake glanced over at David in time too see David go limp as he went unconscious again".
"David" Jake said worried.
"Davey" Karl said using the nickname that David hated.
"Come on, Davey, stay with us" Karl urged as he shook David a few times.
"Can you hear us" Jake asked.
David didn't respond however, as if he had gone into a deep sleep.
"Don't fade on us okay" Karl asked worried.
"We can't do this alone Karl, we need help" Jake said nervous.
"I know Jake, I know" Karl sighed.
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The next morning, Karl awoke too see Jake gone, David still layed slumbering.
"Jake" Karl asked nervously.
"I'm here" Jake said as he appeared out of nowhere.
"Where were you just now" Karl asked eyeing im suspiciously.
"I was looking for a way out, but found no trail or anything so I came back here" Jake said casually as he sat down next too David.
Karl sighed as he walked across the battered bridge next too the site they rested at. The fire was still going from last night so maybe someone would see the smoke and come look for them.
Kneeling down, Karl put a hand into the murky water and sighed. He was thirsty yes, but who know what kinda dieses plagued this mucky water.
"No choice, I'm almost dehydrated" Karl sighed as he raised the water too his lips.
Before his lips could touch the water, a flapping sound snapped Karl's attention as he whirled around for the source of the noise.
A strange looking bird had crashed into a rock next too Karl and was wearing a pilot helmet.
Coughing from its long flight, the bird asked "Are you, Karl, David or Jake".
Stunned the bird had spoke, it took a few seconds for Karl too respond.
"Karl, yeah that's me" he said in a shaky voice.
The bird huffed as it turned too leave saying "End of message, postage has been prepaid factor".
The bird took off into the sky, leaving a confused Karl behind.
Jake witnessing the whole thing asked "What was that about".
"No idea" Karl responded.
Unknowing too either of the two boys, the creature from earlier was watching them steadying from the water. It narrowed its eyes at Jake.
It was apparent that the creature wanted Jake for a snack, but it was not alone.
It's siblings slowly surround the small bridge area, underneath where the boys would not see them until it was too late.
Placing a few more sticks into the fire too keep it going Karl sat down next to Jake who was now cleaning his sword for the hell of it.
Emerging from a bush was Marion, Zippeau and the Messenger Bird.
"Come on hurry, their just up ahead" urged the bird.
"Karl, David, Jake are you there" called Zippeau.
"Karl" Marion called.
Karl's ears perked up as he heard his name being called.
Standing up, he heard the same voice call "David".
"Someone's here" Karl said too Jake and David who was still sleeping.
"Jake" Marion called.
"Over here" Karl called back.
"Were coming stay where you are" Zippeau called as he came into view.
"Karl grinned as Marion and Zippeau cam towards them from across the bridge.
"What happened" Marion asked as she noticed David lying down motionless.
"I have no idea, I came trying too wake him but he wont get up" Jake said.
Marion kneeled next too David and placed a hand too his heart.
"He feels very cold………He's very far away" Marion said sadly.
Placing her head against David's chest, Karl felt a quick sense of jealousy as he watched Marion try too bring back down.
"What she doing" Karl asked Zippeau.
"Wells she's…listening" Zippeau answered.
Jake was about too open his mouth, too most likely say another smart ass remark but Karl stopped him with a glare.
"Don't say anything, none of us are in the mood" Karl warned.
Sitting up again, Marion whispered "Come back David".
Now, not moving at all, Marion placed a hand too David's chest and closed her eyes.
She started to hum silently, as if she was trying to focus David's self awareness too return.
David's eyes snapped open and he gasped.
"What…what happened" he said faintly.
Glancing over at Marion who was now smiling at him, he smiled back when he noticed Karl and Jake smirking at him.
Zippeau turned too the bird who was now snoring silently.
Raising an eyebrow at this, Zippeau coughed in annoyance, springing the bird awake.
"Do you have another message" asked the bird.
"Yes, you must fly to Vidaba and tell them to send a search party as soon as possible, don't stop for anyone or anything, now go" Zippeau said.
The bird took off into the sky as Zippeau remarked to Karl "Their usually quite reliable.
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While waiting for someone too come and find them, Karl and Zippeau deiced now would be a good time too look at the temple while Jake and Marion watched David who was still pretty weak at this moment.
"What a find, What a marvelous find, this temples been lost for centuries" Zippeau said excited.
Carrying a torch and traveling down a dimly lifted corridor, with moss and a fog sweeping in, a few carvings were on the walls inscribing something.
"Look here, Ogthar, the great king of the world beneath" Zippeau said as he pointed to a carving of a Dinosaur standing on two feet and holding a staff while wearing some strange hat.
"Legend says he was half man, half dinosaur, quite remarkable" Zippeau laughed.
Glancing down the corridor, Zippeau then said "I do belie you've confirmed my research, this must lead too one of the entrances to the world beneath".
His expression then changed to troubled as he paused "But".
"What Zippeau" Karl spoke as he had been listening this entire time.
"Legend has it that all the entrances are guarded by carnivores" he said worried.
Looking around frantically, he said "Oh dear, if this is an entrance, then the carnivores will think we're violating their sacred space".
Karl laughed at this as he gave Zippeau an encouraging smile as he said "Well don't worry, I haven't seen any carnivores lately".
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Karl was in for a rude awakening as outside the temple, gathering were the creatures known as Mosasaurs.
Karl casually walked out of the temple, Zippeau still reading some of the carving and nodded to Marion.
Noticing some ripples from the water, Karl raised an eyebrow as his expression changed to worry as he noticed some floating logs underneath the water.
As they got closer, he realized that they were no logs.
Marion noticed them too as she too was now worried.
Jake jumped too his feet as he unsheathed his blade.
"Oh my god" Karl muttered to himself. They were going to attack, whatever they were!
"We have to get out of here fast, c'mon" Karl urged the two as he rushed too tell Zippeau.
"David can't walk" Marion said as she watched the ripples increase.
Dashing past Karl she shouted "I'll get Zippeau".
Karl nodded as he said "I'll wait for you".
Marion called back "No Karl, take David and go".
Picking up David and placing him onto his back, Karl turned towards the bridge.
"How are we gonna get across" Karl muttered,
The mosasaurs were watching, waiting, almost daring them too try too run across the bridge.
Karl deciding too not take any chances dashed across the bridge.
When he reached the midway point, a part of the bridge exploded, a splash of water erupting from the freshly made whole.
Karl started to panick as the creatures were snapping furiosly at him.
Jake ran too his aid, swinging his sword at the creatures.
"Get back" he shouted.
Glancing at Karl he yelled "GO".
Karl nodded as he ran towards the end of the bridge.
The carnivores were not going to let Karl have his way as one of them bumped into it, causing Karl too stagger and fall, droping David.
One of Davids arms flew back as the one of the carnivores leaped forward to take a bite out of it.
Karl pulled David back before the creature could bite, dragging the now fully awake David Karl watched helplessly as one of the creatures tried to surround Jake.
"JAKE, MARION, ZIPPEAU" Karl shouted.
Coming out of the temple at the sound of their names, Marion and Zippeau watched with shock as the creatures were furiosly trying too get Jake, who was defending himself by slashing at one whenever it got too close.
"C'mon you can make it" Karl urged them.
"RUN GUYS, I'LL COVER YOU" Jake shouted.
Marion and Zippeau, takeing Jakes advice ran for it across the bridge.
One of the Mosasaurs then ramed the bridge, causing Jake too lose his balance as he fell backwards onto the hard wood.
One of the monsters had now climbed onto the bridge, blocking Marion and Zippeau from running any further.
The monsters had however underestimated Jake as he quickly got back too his feet and jammed his blade into the monsters back.
The carnivore roared in pain as it snapped its jaws back at Jake.
"Now Marion" Jake yelled.
Marion took his advice and ran past the distracted Mosasur, with Zippeau right behind her.
Another monster rammed the bridge, causinga huge gole seperating them from Karl and David.
"Jump Marion" shouted Zippeau.
Marion backed up a few feet and jumped into Karls arms.
"Jake" shouted Zippeau as Jake had fallen onto his back and was backing up away from the monster he injured.
It would have killed him too had Zippeau not pulled him back from the creatures jaws.
"Thanks Zip" Jake smiled as he jumped across the gap sepearting them.
The Mosasaur on the bridge snapped at Zippeau causing him too stagger and fall into the murkey water.
"ZIPPEAU" shouted Karl.
Zippeau furiosly kicked for the surface, but one of the monsters opened its mouth and took a bite at Zippeaus tail.
Zippeau cried out in pain underneath the water as he kicked harder.
"I'm coming Zippeau" Karl shouted as he ran next too the spot where Zip had fallen.
Zippeaus head emerged from the water as he shouted "HELP KARL".
Karl reacted, pluning his hands into the water grabbing Zippeaus.
Pulling with all his might, Karl freed Zippeau from the carnivore as Zippeau flew out of the water in a panic.
"He was eating me…I HOPE YOU CHOKE ON IT" Zippeau shouted angrily at the monster.
The Mosasaurs, realizing their prey had escaped, bitterly returend to underneath the water.
Jake sighed "I gusse that was no croc right".
The others just stared at him in disbelief.
SORRY THAT TOOK SO LONG, REVIEW!!!